Well bit construction



Dec. 5, 1939. A c A TL N 2,182,247

WELL BIT CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 19, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 5, 1939. A. c. CAII'LAND 2,182,247

WELL BIT CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 19, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 5, 1939' UNITED STATES WELL BIT CONSTRUCTION Alfred C. Catland, Alhambra, CaliL, assignor to Globe Oil Tools Company, Los Nletos, Calif a corporation of California Application January 19, 1937. Serial No. 121,377

6 Claims. (cl. 255-71) This invention relates to well drilling tools and relates more particularly to the mountings for the roller'cutters of rotary well drilling bits. A eneral object of this invention is to provide practical, effective and long wearing mountings or bearings for the roller cutters of a well drilling bit.

Another object of this invention is to provide antifriction ball bearing mountings for the roller cutters of a well bit embodying long wearing races or bushings on the cutter supporting pins.

Another object of this invention is to provide a ball bearing cutter mounting of the character mentioned in which the balls bear in large or extensive races in thebushings and, therefore, do not cause rapid wearing of the bushings. In certain prior cutter mountings the cutters'were rotatably supportedby series of balls having direct point or line contact with the supporting pin.

In such constructions the intensity of the pres-' 50 sure of the balls on the pins was very great due to the extremely limited contact of the balls with the pins and thisintensifled or concentrated pressure, causing the balls to rapidly wear grooves in the pins. During the wearing-in of such grooves 25 the case hardened surfaces of the pins were pene- '35 Another object of this invention is to provide roller cutter mountings, in which the series of balls assume or transmit the end thrusts in both directions as well as the radial thrusts so that thrust washers, or the like, are not required.

. 40 Another object of this invention is to provide ball bearing cutter mountings of the character mentionedin whichthe cutter supporting pins are subjected to little or no wear and the wear receiving bushings areinexpensive and readily 45 replaceable.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary rock bit embodying inexpensive and dependable means for associating or connecting the cutter mou tings with the body of the bit.

50 The various bjects and features of my invention will be frilly understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the acpg companying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a well bit embodying one form of the invention with the lower portion in vertical cross section to illustrate the cutter mountings. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating another form of cutter-mounting of 5 the invention.

In the following detailed disclosure I will describe the invention embodied in bearings for rotatably supporting the inner cutters of a rotary rock bit. Two such forms or applications of the i0 invention will be described in detail. It is to be understood that 'the invention-is not to be construed as limited or-restricted to the specific forms and applications about to be described.

Thebit construction of the present invention illustrated in Fig. l includes-a bit body III, a supporting member II secured to the body l0, two sets or pairs of roller cutters I2 and I3 and bearing means 14 rotatably mounting the pairs of cutters l2 and IS on the supporting member ll. 30

The bit body in is intended tobe connected with the lower end of a rotary well drilling string. The body l0 may be an integral member or structure designed to carry the above mentioned cutters l2 and [3 for acting on the'inner portion of the well bore as well as outer cutters for cutting the bore to gauge. The outer cutters (not shown) and their mountings form no part of the'p'resent invention and, therefore, have been omitted from this disclosure.

Means is provided on the upper end of the body l0- to facilitate its connection with the drilling string. In the particular structure illustrated, this means comprises a tapered screw threaded pin I5, Two diametrically opposing legs l6 pro- J'ect downwardly and outwardly from the lower end of the body Ill. The lower portions of the legs it are substantially vertical and have substantially vertical inner-faces II. The lower outer corners of the legs It may be bevelled off. The 40 body In further includes a downwardly projecting web Id. The web l8 projects downwardly from the lower end of the body [0 andis substantially equi-distant from the legs. The central web I has a fiat horizontal lower end and downwardly 5 convergent sides. The lower end of the web I8 is spaced some distance above the planeof the lower ends of the legs IS. The legs l6 and web "form three spaced parts for carrying the supporting member II, as will be hereinafter described. A vertical fluid passage l9 enters the body I0 from the upper end of its pin l5. Spaced discharge ports 20 are provided in the lower wall of the body III to communicate with the lower end of the with nozzles or beans 2I'. The beans 2Iare directed downwardly to discharge the circulation fluid againstthe pairs of cutters I2 and I3.

The supporting member II is in the nature of an axle or ,pin for carrying the bearing means. I4 and the pairs of cutters I2 and I3. In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 the supporting member II is integral and comprises a central part 22 and arms 23 projecting outwardly from opposite sides of the central part.

The central part 22 of the member II has a flat upper end for bearing upwardly against the lower end of the web I8. The opposite sides of the part 22 are preferably downwardly convergent as illustrated. The'arms 23 of the member II integrally join its central part 22 and project outwardly .toward the legs I6. -The arms 23 are cylindrical and may be of uniform diameter. In the bit structure illustrated the arms 23 slope or incline downwardly and outwardly; The outer ends of the arms 23 are adjacent the legs I6 but need not bear on the legs.

The means for securing the supporting member II tothe body I0 includes a screw 24 passed downwardly through'a vertical opening 25 in the web I8 and threaded into an opening 26 in the central part 24 of the supporting member. The

head of the screw 24 is received in the opening .25 and means is provided for preventing loosening or unthreading of the screw. A washer 21 is-welded to the lower wall of the passage I9 at 28 to extend across the upper end of the opening 25. A polygonal pin 29 fits correspondingly shaped openings 30 and 3I in the washer '21 and the head of-the screw 24 respectively. The po-- .lygonal pin 29 serves to prevent unthreading of the screw 24. The washer 21 and the pin 29 are accessible for removal through the passage l9. The outer ends of the arms 23 are secured to the body legs I6. Cap screws 32 are passed inwardly through openings 33 in the legs I6 and are threaded in openings 34 in the outer ends of the arms 23. The heads of the screws 32 are received set comprising a cutter I2 and a cutter I3. Each of these sets of cutters I2 and I3 is rotatably supported an an arm 23 of the member II by a bearing means I4. The cutters I2 and I3 are in' the nature of roller cutters for acting on the bot;

tom wall of the well bore.

The cutters I2 are cylindrical'and are provided at their peripheries with suitable cutting teeth 35. The opposite ends ofthe cutters I2 may be flat and plain. The outer ends of the teeth 35 may be slightly inset from the outer ends of the cutters I2. The cutters I2 have central longi-- tudinal openings 36. In accordance with the invention an annular ridge or flange 31 is provided on the wall of each cutter opening 36subst'antially medially between the ends of the cutter.

- The cutters I3 are somewhat larger than the cutters I2 both in length and diameter. The

cuters I3 are positioned at the, outer ends of the cutters I2 and are frusto-conical cutters arranged with their small. ends facing inwardly toward the central axis of the bit. The cutters I3 are provided with suitable peripheral cutting teeth 38. The opposing ends of the cutters I3 may be flat and the teeth 33 may be inset'from the inner ends of the cutters. The cutters I3 are tubular,

of the invention.

.member II is shaphaving central longitudinal openings 39. In accordance with the inventionan annular rib or flange 40 is provided on the wall of each cutter opening 39. The flanges 40 are spaced a short distance from the inner ends of the cutters I3.

The bearing means I4 are important elements The bearing means l4 for rotatably supporting the two pairs of cuters I2 and I3 are preferably identical. Each bearing means I4 includes two bushings H and 42 arranged in end to end relation on an arm 23 to extend through a cutter I2. The bushings M and 42 may be plain cylindrical parts of the same diameter. The inner ends of the bushings 4| bear against the central part 22 of the member II. The bushings 4I each have an annular concaved groove or ball race 43. The races'43 are adjacent the inner ends of the bushings. Each bushing 42 has an annular ball race 44 in its periphery. The races 43 and 44 may be similar or identical and are cut or turned in the peripheries of further include spherically concaved ball races flanges 31. The races 45 occur in the corners between the inner sides of the flanges 31 and the walls of the openings 36 and may merge with the walls of the openings, as illustrated. Similar spherically concaved ball races 46 are provided on the outer sides of the flanges 31. The centers the bushings 4I and 42. The bearing means I4 '45 on the inner sides of the above described of the races 45. are offset outwardly from the centers of the races 43 relative to the vertical axis of the bit. The centers of the races 46 are offset inwardly from the centers of the races 44' relative to the vertical axis of the tool.

In accordance with the invention series of balls 41 cooperate with the oppo g races 43 and 45 and similar series of balls 48 cooperate with the opposing races 44 and 46. The series of balls 41 and'48, of course, support the cutters I2 for free-'- rotation on the bushings 4 I and 42. The longitudinal offset or staggered relationship of the races 43 and 45 is such that theballs 41 assume andtransmit the inward end thrusts on the cutters I2 as well as the radial thrusts on the cutters. The above described ofl'set relationship between the races 44"and 43 is such that the series of balls 48 take the outward end thrusts as wellas the radialthrusts' to which the cutters I2 may be subjected. Thus the spaced series of balls 41 and" 48 assume the end thrusts in both directions as well as the radial thrusts on the cutters l2, ,elim-.

inating the necessity for end thrust washers or s the like and assuring free rotation of the cutters I2 with a minimum of friction. It is to be noted that the races 43 and 44 present substantial or large surfaces for cooperating with the balls 41 and 48 and-therefore, are long wearing to assure the proper positioning ofithe cutters I2 for a long period of operation. The bushings M and 42 as well as the, cutters I2 may be case hardened or otherwise treated so that their respective ball races are long wearing. In the preferred construction illustrate diameter as the above described bushings 4I and;

the-central part 22 of the. to fit within theinner ends 42. Annular ball races 52 and 53 are provided or cut in the bushings 50 and 5| respectively. The bearing means I4 include spherically concaved'ball races 54 on the inner sides of. the flanges 40 and spherically concaved ball races 55 on the outer sides of the flanges 40. The races 54 surround or oppose the races 52 but have their centers spaced outwardly from the centers of the races 52 relative to the vertical axis of the bit.

In a like manner the races 55 ppose the races 53 but have their centers offse inwardly from the centers of the races 53 relative to the vertical axis of the bit. Annular series of balls 56 cooperate with the opposing races 52 and 54 and annular series of balls 51 cooperate with the races 53 and 55. The series of balls 56 and 51, of course, assist in rotatably supporting the cutters I3 and assume the radial thrusts on the cutters. The series of balls 56 cooperate with the races 52 and 53 to transmit the inward thrusts from the cutters I3 to the races 50, this function resulting from the above described relationship of the races 52 and 54. The races 53 and 55 are related so that the balls 51 transmit outward end thrusts from the cutters I3 to the bushings 5|. The series of balls 51 are assisted in the transmission of the outward end thrusts by the structure to be hereinafter described. It will be observed that the races 52 and 53 present large or extensive surfaces for engagement by the balls 56 and 51, whereby the bushings and 5| are long wearing.

The bearing means I4 further include bushings or Washers 60 on the outer portions of the arms 23. Annular radial flanges 6| are provided on the outer ends of the washers 60. The outer ends of the washers 60 and their flanges 6| bear against the inner faces ll of the legs I6. Lugs 62 are provided on the lower parts of the flanges 6| and welds 63 secure the lugs 62 to the lower ends ofthe legs I6. The washers 60 rigidly secured to the legs I6 .111 this manner directly transmit thrusts to the body legs and are held against rotation and are definitely prevented from chatter-.

ing when the bit is in operation. 'The welds 63 may be easily broken or cut away when-it is desired to remove the cutters etc. for replacement.

, Each washer 60 is'provided with an annular cylindrically concaved ball race 64. The races 64 occur in the corners between the inner sides of the flanges GI and the cylindrical bodies of the washers 60. The washers 60 extend into the cutters I3 to have their inner ends bear against the Thus the bushings 4|, 42, 50 and 5| and the washers 60 constitute assemblies whose bushings 5 I.

members are held in end to end relation due to the engagement of the bushings 4| with the part 2 2 and the engagement of the washers 60 against the legs I6. Shoulders in the form of annular ball races 66 are provided on the wallsof the cut-' ter cpenings'39 adjacent the outer ends of the cutters I3. The races 66 face toward the axes of the cutters I3 and outwardly toward the outer ends of the cutters. The races 66 are positioned to oppose the above described races 64 so that center lines drawn through the centers of the opposing races are at approximately 45to the lon-,

gitudinal axis of the arms 23. Annular series of balls 61 are provided to cooperate with the opposing races 64 and 66to rotatably support the outer ends of the cutters I3. The balls 61, of course,'

assist in transmittingor assuming thrusts imposed on thecutters I3. Iniaddition to this the balls 61 transmit outward end thrusts from the cutters I3 to the washers.- Thus the outer cutters I3 are supported againstoutward 'end thrusts by the series of balls 51 and 61. It will be observed that the races .64 as well as the races 66 present relatively large surfaces for engagement by the balls 61 and, therefore, are long wearing. A portion of the flanges 6| are received in the openings 39 to close the end of the openings 39 inthe cutters I3.

In operation the bit is connected with the lower end of a rotary well drilling stringand is operated in the well bore in the usual manner. The cutters I2 and I3 act on formation at the bottom of the well bore to cut away the same and during this operation they rotate about their individual axes. The bearing means I4 described in detail above supports the cutters I2 and I3 for free rotation with a minimum of friction. The several series of balls 41, 48, 56, 51 and 61 directly cooperate with the races on the interiors of the cutters and directly bear in the grooves or races in the bushings and washers on the arms 23. It is to be noted that the races 43, 44, 52, 53 and 64 present large or extensive surfaces for engagement by the series of cutter supporting balls.

These extensive surfaces or walls of the races are long wearing due to the fact that the forces transmitted by the balls are well distributed over them as distinguished from structures wherein the balls have point or line contact with the bushings or supporting parts. Owing to the fact that the thrusts or pressures imposed by the balls are distributed over the extensive walls of the above mentioned races the hardened surfaces of the bushings and washers constituting the walls of the races do not wear through. Accordingly the bushings 41, 42, 50 and 5| and the washers 60 are long wearing. The cutters I2 and I3 are rotatably supported by the means I4 so that the bit may be operated during a long run without the necessity of replacing. the bearing parts.

peripheries of the bushings and washers arere lated so that the balls assume or transmit the end thrusts. Because of the above described relationships between the opposing races it is unnecessary to provide thrust washers or other thrust receiving elements at the end of the cutters. The cutters are entirely supported by the series of ball bearings and do not bear against parts of the body I 0 or other parts of the tool to wear the same away. In the structureillustrated in Fig. 1 the single integral member II serves to support all of the, cutters I2 and I3 and their hearing means I4. Upon the removal of the screws 24 and 32 and cutting the welds 63 the member II may be easily detached from the body I 0, whereupon the cutters I2'and I3 and their bearings may be easily slid from the arms I2 and I3 for replacement.

Fig. 2 of the drawings illustrates a slightly modified form of the invention. The structure above principally in the construction and nature thrusts in both directions as well as the radial .illustrated in Fig. 2 difiers from that described of the supporting member' or element for carrying the cutters'I2 and I3 and their hearing means I4. The body II], the cutters I2 and I3, the bushings 5|, thewashers 60 and the series of balls 41, 48, 56, 51 and vt1 may be identical in both forms of the invention and-corresponding reference numerals are employed on these parts in both figures of the drawings.

In Fig. 2 the supporting member or element for carrying the cutters I2 and I3 comprises a center part 22 and two arms or pins 23 threadedly connected with the part 22.

The Part 22" place of the above described bushing 4|, as will be subsequently described. The pins 23 are in the nature of cap screws passed inwardly through openings H in the legs it to extend through the cutters l2 and I3 andtheir bearings and to have their inner portions threaded in openings 12 in the bosses 10. The heads of pins 23 are received in the openings H so that their outer ends are flush with the surfaces of the legs is. The pins 23 serve the same function as the arms 23; thatis, they carry the bushings and washers of the cutter supporting bearings. The washers 60 are provided on the pins 23 'to engage against the inner faces I l of the legs l6 and have their lugs 62 welded to the legs l6 at 63. The bushings 5i are provided on the pins 23 to engage against the inner ends of the washers 60. In the structure illustrated in Fig. 2 each pin 23 carries an integral bushing H which has its outer end bearing against abushing 5i and which has its inner end bearin against a boss Hi. The bushing 14 serves the same function as the above described bushings t2 and 50. Each bushing 14 has twrrspaced'races and .52 which are engaged by the series of balls 48 and respectively. Thus the bushings 18 receive the thrusts from the balls 48 and 5B which rotatabl'y support the adjacent :ends of the cutters i2 and I3. Annular races- 43 are provided in the corners between the bosses"! and the sides of the part 22*. The races 33E are located so that they oppose, the races 65 in such a manner that the balls 41 transmitthe iiiward end thrusts on the cutters i2 as well as the radial thrusts on the cutters.

- The operation of the bit illustrated in Fig. 2 is the same as that of the previously described form of the invention. Upon the removal of the screw 24 and the pins '13 and the cutting of the welds 63, the cutters l2 and IS, the bearing means and the part 22 are easily removable from the body. The races and 52 inthe bushings I; present large surfaces for engagement b the balls 48 and 56 so that the bushings 14 are long wearing. In a like manner the races 43 are quite extensive and, therefore, long wearing. I 7

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of-my invention, I do-not wish to be limited or'restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve tov myself any variations'or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims. j 1

' Havingdescribed my invention, I claim: 1. In awell. bit, a supporting member, two roller cutters surrounding 'the member, each cutter having two internal races, one facing inwardly and axially in one direction, the otherfacing inwardly and axially in the other direction,

a bushing on the member extending int'o the opposing ends of the cutters, said bushing having two race grooves formed in its periphery,

. each race groove opposing a race of a cutter.

bushings on the member at the op'positeends of the first named bushing and each having a race groove formed in its periphery, the last mentioned race grooves opposing the other races of the cutters, and series of balls cooperating with the opposing races and race grooves.

2. In a well bit, a supporting member, a roller cutter surrounding the member, a race on the interior of the cutter facing-inwardly and toward one end of the cutter, two spaced races on the interior of the cutter facing inwardly and toward the other end of the cutter, two bushings on the member, one having \a ball groove opposing the first mentioned race, the other having a ball groove opposing-one of the second mentioned races, a washer on the member having a-ball groove opposing the other second mentioned race, and series of balls cooperating with the opposing races and grooves.

3. A well bit including, a body having two legs and a web spaced between the legs, thelegs and web being integral with the body, a supporting structure comprising a part detachably secured to the web, and pins passed through openings in the legs and secured to said part, bushings on the pins, roller cutters surrounding the pins, and series of balls rotatably supporting the cutters on the bushings and said part,

4. -A well bit including, a body having two legs and a web spaced between the' legs, the legs and web being integral with the body, a supporting structure comprising a part detachably secured to the-web, and pins passed through openings in the legs and threadedly secured to said part,

bushings on the pins, roller cutters surrounding the pins, and series of balls rotatablyi supporting the cutters on the bushingsand said 5. is well bit including. a body having two: legs and a web spaced between the legs, a supporting structure comprising a part secured to the web, and pins passed through openings in the legs and-secured to said part, said part having bosses at the inner ends of the pins, there being a ball groove in each of the bosses, a bushing on each pin engaging against a boss, ball grooves inthe having ball grooves, a bushing on each pin having a ball groove, roller cutters surrounding the bosses and the adjacent bushings, the cutters each having a ball race facing inwardly and toward one end of the cutter to oppose the groove of a boss and a ball race facing inwardly and toward its other end to oppose the groove 01a bushing, and series of balls cooperating with the grooves and races to rotatably support the cutters.

ALFRED C. CATLAND. 

